New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-06
SUNDAY EDITION.
NOV. s, 1887.
THE NEW CATHEDRAL SITE.
BUYING THE LEAKE AND WATTS GROUNDS.
THE ORPHAN HOUSE TRUSTEES SELL THEIR THREE
CITY BLOCKS FOR $S5O.OO0

CITY BLOCKS FOR $s5O,OO0
AS 1t was exclusively announced I'm THE Tribune
about month ago, the Leake and Watts Orphan
House grounds has been chosen the site the pro-
posed Protestant Episcopal Cathedral. The sac and
transfer OF the plot were made on Friday.
The site is remarkably well adapted for the pur-
pose that 1t is to be put to- 1t has frontage Of 1877
feet Morningsde Drive, between Observation-Disclosures
tenth and Northumberland thirteenth sts On One
hundre,and-tenth ST. 1t has frontage Of 762 feet,
and from Mornngside Drive 1t back to Tenth
ave. 1t includes In all 1G2 city lots. The price
paid was S650,OO0. This is within small figure OF
the amount that THE TRIBUNE named at the time Of
its announcement. The original estimate Of value
put property nearly $l,0CO,000.
The cause Of the reduction Is simply that to cut up
she ground into city lots wOull cost the estate be-
tween 100000 and 100000 and then builders and
contractors would not pay the price OF surrounding
lots, because much money would have to be ex-
pended in blasting and lcvellIng this high mass OF
rock to tho plane Of the surrounding country.
The Orphan House represented I'm the negotiations
by Recorder Smyth, Allan Campbell and John Knox,
three of the members Of the board. The Rev. DR..
Ncvin represented the Cathedral Trustees. In the
terms Of sale the stipulation that the asylum Ia
not to be moved for two years. In the meantime tho
Leake and Watts trustees Will try to find now plot o.
ground for the asylum either further north in the city
or on Long Island. on which more modern building
Will be erected. The present orphan house is old
fashioned, and for the purpose used somewhat awk
ward
There many reasons why the selection Of this
site is a remarkably happy one From the high, rocky
eminence which the Cathedral Will stand almost
uninterrupted view of the surrounding country can DO
had Due east may be RandaPs Island aud be-
y0nd IT the Sound while at the foot of the bluff viii
be erected before long fats and dwellings for the
cOmmodatlOn Of the great Of people that is yearly
pushing further and further toward the annexed dis
trcts. Within rifle shot of the building will
stand the tomb that IS to be the memory OF
General Grant and Riverside Park IS rapidly becoming
of the pretticst and most attractive spots the
city Long before the ca hedral Is completed Morning
side Park Will be all that architectural skin and money
make 1t. Already there IS to be expended a quar-.
ter of a million in identifying and improving tn,
grounds Mr.. Omstead, the accomplished landscap.
best that his skill VIII allow TO make tho park as
perfect possible.
Before many years that portion Of the city viii be
entirely built up the missions school AMI bcue6
cent institutions viii be- in locality where they
most needed AT present the Elevated Railroad and
cable take one within easy distance of the spot
but before the buildings are finished, and
perhaps better modes of travel Will have been i'll
stituted.
Work on the qound Is to begin al once As yet
the plan the Cathedral has been decided upOn
and study. In the meantime the necessary Blasting
and leveng will be done, and when design Is
settled upon, the erection of the building Will be
N cd nil